Coffee guru explains how to brew the perfect cup of coffee at home

To learn the best way to brew coffee, Tech Insider asked Lars Akerlund, the founder of Fika. Since its launch in 2006, Fika has become the fastest growing coffee chain in New York City.

The water temperature and timing of the brew are the most important factors, Akerlund says. Using french press or the pour over method are best, because they give you more control over timing and temperature than an automatic coffeemaker.

To start, you always should grind your own beans, which will give your coffee a richer aroma, he says. Pre-ground bags can go stale in a matter of days.

The water-to-coffee grounds ratio will differ depending on your brewing method, but Akerlund's general rule is to use two to three tablespoons of grounds for every cup of water.

When boiling the water, use a thermometer to make sure it's between 198 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Akerlund. If the temperature falls below that, the water won't soak up the fullest flavor from the beans. If it's too hot, you'll end up with burnt coffee.

"You have a small window of seven degrees," he says.

Whether the beans are in a french press or you're doing a pour over, you should aim for a two-minute brewing cycle.

If you want to opt for a machine, consider the brand. Not all are created equal, Akerlund adds. In his own home, he uses a Technivorm Moccamaster, which essentially automates the above process.

He claims it's the best coffeemaker you can buy, because it keeps the water temperature and brewing time incredibly consistent. Depending on the model, a Moccamaster can cost up to $320.

So brewing your coffee by hand with a simple french press is definitely the cheaper (albeit more painstaking) option.